Podcast 208: Beware the "Endowment Effect" When Clearing Clutter and a Deep Dive into One-Word Themes. | Gretchen Rubin                                  [Skip to content](#content)   [ ![](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gretchenrubin-logo-768x344.png) ](https://gretchenrubin.com)

    - February 13, 2019

# Podcast 208: Beware the “Endowment Effect” When Clearing Clutter and a Deep Dive into One-Word Themes.

   Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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Ep. 208: To Fight Clutter, Beware the “Endowment Effect”

![Ep. 208: To Fight Clutter, Beware the “Endowment Effect”](https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/5b4af53c-34f6-11f1-8af6-2727651a0d13/image/f255fc2790d879c623f0beb2f1ec2fbc.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)

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        <a class="elementor-toggle-title" tabindex="0">EPISODE NOTES</a>

#### **Try This at Home**

When clearing clutter, beware the “endowment effect.”

#### **Happiness Hack**

Challenge yourself to wear a different outfit every day, as a way to make better use of what you have and to identify what you want to give away.

#### **Deep Dive into One-Word Themes for 2019**

After our discussion in [episode 201](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/podcast-201-one-word-theme/), we loved hearing listeners’ one-word themes for the year. Some thought-provoking choices include: “Worth,” “War,” “Okay,” “Action,” “Easier,” “Dream,” “Reduce,” “Simplify,” “Voice,” “Habits,” “Learn,” and “Fit.” We mention Chris Guillebeau’s [*Side Hustle School*](https://sidehustleschool.com/podcasts/) podcast—he’s part of the [Onward Project](https://www.theonwardproject.com/). If you want to take the Four Tendencies quiz, it’s [here](http://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/).

#### **Elizabeth’s Demerit**

Although she’s had a little down time at work, she hasn’t gone to the mindfulness class at Jack’s school—even though she knows it’s very valuable.

#### **Gretchen’s Gold Star**

I love Marie Kondo’s new Netflix show, [*Tidying Up with Marie Kondo*](https://konmari.com/pages/netflix). I have so many thoughts! Her book is *[The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up](https://amzn.to/2X2VFib)*.

#### **Resources**

1. If you need ideas for **wedding readings**, I have a collection of quotations suitable for weddings recommended from other *Happier* listeners. Download it for free at [gretchenrubin.com/resources](http://gretchenrubin.com/resources).
2. Looking for a good book to read? You can [follow me on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21246.Gretchen_Rubin) to see what I’m reading or check out the “[**What I read this month**](https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/what-i-read-january-2019/)” blog posts I publish each month with my #GretchenRubinReads.
3. Speaking of reading, we’ve launched the ***Happier* Podcast Book Club**! Our first book is Dani Shapiro’s bestselling memoir, [*Inheritance*](https://amzn.to/2UTMU8h). Post your questions and comments to #happierpodcastbookclub, or comment on this post below. Don’t worry, you don’t need to “join,” just read along. If you like, you can [join the conversation on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/group/invite/869742-happier-podcast-book-club?invite_token=MjcyM2FhYzYtNDI2My00N2U2LWJlMGMtZDkzMDE2MjNmM2Zk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=copypastegroup).

 **Join the conversation! I do a live show on Facebook called: “[Ask Gretchen Rubin Live](https://www.facebook.com/gretchenrubin).”** **You can [check the schedule](/about/live-video/).**

   #### LATEST EPISODES

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- June 13, 2026

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- June 12, 2026

   [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/very-special-episode-20-practical-strategies-for-managing-worry/)

[Very Special Episode! 20 Practical Strategies for Managing Worry](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/very-special-episode-20-practical-strategies-for-managing-worry/)

- June 10, 2026

   #### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

    [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/207-why-you-should-go-to-the-doctor/)

[Podcast 207: Why You Should Go to the Doctor, the Challenge of Decluttering a Household—and Announcing the First Choice for the Happier Book Club.](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/207-why-you-should-go-to-the-doctor/)

- February 6, 2019

   [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/204-put-a-band-aid-on-it/)

[Podcast 204: Put a Band-Aid On It, Consider “Me Time Tuesday,” and How to Persuade a Reluctant Spouse to Do More Work.](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/204-put-a-band-aid-on-it/)

- January 16, 2019

   [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/201-choose-a-one-word-theme-for-the-year/)

[Podcast 201: Choose a One-Word Theme for the Year, Check Your Worries in Two Weeks, and Chris Guillebeau Talks About the “Annual Review.”](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/201-choose-a-one-word-theme-for-the-year/)

- December 26, 2018

   [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/192-why-you-should-have-people-over/)

[Podcast 192: Why You Should Have People Over, Making Time for Your Side Hustle, and the Challenge of the “You Cook, I Clean” Approach.](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/192-why-you-should-have-people-over/)

- October 24, 2018

   [  ](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/185-make-a-facts-of-life-book/)

[Podcast 185: Make a “Facts of Life” Book, Ideas for a Clutter-Related Conflict, and a New Way to Tell Left from Right.](https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/185-make-a-facts-of-life-book/)

- September 5, 2018

  #### DISCOVER MORE

# Like what you see? Explore more about this topic.

- [Habit Change](https://gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/habit-change/), [Organization](https://gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/organization/), [Outer Order Inner Calm](https://gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/outer-order-inner-calm/), [Tips](https://gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/tips/)

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